Dog owners agree that dogs are the most loyal furry friends ever. Dogs live reasonably long lives when they are healthy and well taken care of. Every dog parent knows that and, therefore, spends more of everything–time, money, and love–for their dog’s wellbeing.
Part of this is caring for their dog’s eyes. It is common for dogs to have eye problems, whether genetic or caused by outside factors. If you are a dog owner, you understand how important this is. All you seek is to give your pet a long life with the best quality.
Preventive Measures
There are two ways to prevent serious issues. A proactive approach can be extremely beneficial if you want to protect your dog from blindness and other eye issues. Seek the vet’s assistance for these two steps to stay on top of your dog’s eye health.
Wellness Checkups
Your furry buddy needs a regular wellness checkup once a year. However, as your dog reaches senior age, it is essential to bring it in at least twice a year. The vet can check the overall health of your dog this way, including the eyes. If any signs of problems form, the vet can recommend immediate medication.
Genetic Tests
Genetic conditions are those that are passed on from parent to offspring. Many diseases and disorders that affect the eyes are genetic. Specialty veterinary hospitals offer eye screening examinations to see whether a dog will have vision or eye problems in the future.
Also called OFA testing for your pet, single dogs or a puppy litter can be checked anytime. Most who take advantage of this are breeders. If genetic problems are positive, the breeders are discouraged from breeding certain dogs to stop the possible inheritance of eye issues.
Noticing Symptoms
There are common symptoms a dog may exhibit if eye disease is occurring. You may want to be attentive and watch out if your pet is experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Discharge and tearing
- Squinting
- Swelling or redness of the eyes
- Gradual or sudden loss of vision
- Cloudiness
- Constant eye rubbing
If you see any of these happening, do not hesitate to take the proper next steps.
Consultation
Call your vet ophthalmologist for advice, and bring your dog to the vet if necessary. The vet will want to examine your dog’s eyes to determine what is causing the symptom. First aid will be given to relieve pain or swelling.
Diagnosis
The vet may order lab work to be done. This will enable the veterinarian to give the proper diagnosis. Equipment is used during the testing to look at the outside and inner structures of the eyes. Optic nerves, blood flow, and pressure buildup in the ocular area are some factors that are checked. You may see more here about diagnostic tests.
Treatment
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the corresponding treatment will be given. Some eye problems can be treated with topical ointments or solutions if the condition is caught early. For severe cases, surgery may be necessary to resolve the issue. This is why recognizing symptoms early on is crucial so that conditions will not worsen.
The Bottomline
Keep your dog’s vet schedule and always watch out for symptoms. Being proactive when it comes to your pet’s health, including their eyes and vision, will give them a good quality of life. Likewise, this will give you the confidence that your dog will be alright for a long time.